Tag Archives: christmas gifts

Oh the sista’s 30 something birthday. Uhm, during her birthday weekend we went to Divi Market to rally around like the throng of Pinoy shoppers who loves bargains, huge discounts and what else the happiness of shopping spree without selling your kidneys. 😀 But because it was a Saturday, almost always a market day for everyone, the crowd was like a nightmare, there were people everywhere and you can’t even get something out of your bag readily. You’re pushed to walk and walk giving you not much time to lurk over pieces of those P20 items or those 3 for P100 items which in a way can pass as a nice Christmas present with the right paper wrapper and ribbon. We didn’t really stay long at Juan Luna even if Nanay felt like spending more time, after haggling for fruits and veggies we headed right away at the comfort of the air-conditioned Lucky Chinatown Mall nearby, besides it rained that day so we had no choice but to cover and feed ourselves because we’re famished with all the sweats and stinky smell of the surrounds, don’t get me wrong I love Divi by all means but not during this season.

So, the supposed Chinese-y lunch was discarded and we went to Max’s for some comfort food –spring chicken, lumpiang ubod, sizzling tofu, macaroni salad and tocino, yes, SAM and I didn’t let the chance go by without sampling the breakfast fare, our favorite breakfast chow to be exact.

Going home that day was the next challenge, Leoncio was supposed to pick us up but seeing the horrible traffic I panicked (ok, a bit only), it would be a waste of time and energy and gas. So, I thought that GrabTaxi was the only savior that day, thank God for zero booking fees. Wee! 🙂 It wasn’t too hard to grab one because it didn’t took long for me to get a unit, however, it took us like forever waiting for him when in fact he’s already at Jones Bridge and we already walked like halfway of Quintin Paredes St. so we could meet halfway. Traffic was that horrible and annoying. Don’t mind to ask how much it cost from Divi to Mandaluyong, it was like more than double because it was clogged everywhere, even the side streets. I somehow pity the cab driver especially that he remained calm the entire trip despite the bottleneck. Arriving home, we felt drained so instead of getting ready for our next activity we slept the entire afternoon. Good thing that the weather was colder now because they didn’t complain much about the humid Manila weather.

Next, by 6pm we’re heading to Ayala Center, we stopped at Rustan’s Supermarket first to have a quick snack but ended eating a lot of sushi, sandwich, salad and fresh fruits. Rustan’s Gourmet-To-Go is Love! ♥

I needed to buy the kid’s Chuck Taylor because I’m running out of time. The next few weeks will be even busier with commitments here and there. And because I felt a bit generous or I maybe I just thought it’s always nicer to give than to receive , I bought 4 pairs of that old-school Chuck Taylor for SAM, Pao, Ysa and Che. I almost fainted seeing the bill because it means I have to cut some of my personal luxuries for the coming weeks. Hay!Kayo na ang naka-terno ng shoes this Christmas…we didn’t skipped the recently opened H&M in SM Makati, the 3rd branch to open this year and most likely would be my most frequent branch amongst. I was supposed to buy Ysa’s dress but the styles were so-so, we ended up with that denim blue overall which was too perfect for our little girl. I got her a hooded jacket too. And Nanay a knit-sweater to appease her gloomy mood because she had no size of that studded sandals. And some few pieces of gift item for my goddaughters. I’m almost penniless that day after exiting the mall, it was like I was robbed but what money can’t buy was the happiness of those people close to my heart. They’re happy I know. 🙂

And as if we’re contended of just spending the next day at home, we drove to Paseo de Santa Rosa in the afternoon to beat another traffic jam and to shop whatever was lacking –shoes for Leoncio, dress for Ysa, pants for Pao and to delight my eyes with all that gorgeous looking tops from the favorite outlet shop. Found It! But was too hesitant to take home that Christmas-white top because it was way my budget but I really love it and I’m hoping someone could get it for me, please, my size is 16. We didn’t have too much time and we have to skip the Christmas bazaar near Nuvali, after a quick dinner at Kenny Rogers we drove home. All I was able to take out was the corn muffins and Japanese corn, I feel so deprived and kawawa! 😦

Even our “special pup” at home is looking forward to Christmas Day! 😛

The following work week was gruesome and will be more gruesome especially that year end and Q4 is nearing, there were also issues hanging around but hey, no one is stopping Christmas and the rush and all the preparations, and parties and get-togethers, and more expenses. Christmas would always be that one time of the year when I feel so energized despite of all the chaos (counting here the ominous atmosphere at the work place) that may pop in.

By the way, we were home again last weekend, we had coffee on Saturday night, Tagaytay was so cold already. The following day, Leoncio and I went on some we-time as we hit Tagaytay by ourselves alone, no rush Sunday –coffee, Mahogany market, cheap gas.

Also, I went to SGAAA (alumni association) on Saturday to see my groupie and to plan more for our very own batch Christmas party. It was nice to be back at the alma matter only that the alumni activity was quite sickening for me because I find it disorganized, I hope they’ll be able to pull out a good team soon because the grand alumni should be seamless and all.

Oh and before I forgot, someone came at the parental house last Saturday morning, swear to God that I didn’t recognize him, I thought he’s someone from the barangay who’s asking for financial support or whatever, you know my Nanay is becoming the savior of these pesky people who’s thinking is we have this money tree of sort that anytime they need to they can easily run to her. When all but my sister and I assumed he’s just one of them, we were very wrong! I know I haven’t written any of him here because he was part of my past, naks! 25 years ago? Let’s go back a bit of high school, he was my one and only crush because he was cool and stylish, talk about new wave and he’s everything it! 😀 I even remember attending Sunday mass regularly because he’s there. And because he knew I crushed him he even sent me a letter way, way back, ok not the love letter I expected, it was sort of a friendly letter only, which I kept for years. Though for sometime it kept me wondering also that maybe some of my friends forced him to do it. Even after finishing high school, I still find him cute? I still crush him until I found some cute college boys at the university. And by the time I landed a decent job in Makati I’m completely over him because I was crazy infatuated with Ely B. But what puzzle me now, what happened to him? What happened to the boy I crushed for a long time? Of course, he became a man, he became a husband and a father, only that life wasn’t too friendly for him, maybe because he too has his own time lag, he let go of the good opportunities, if ever there were. Maybe he made none-sense of his life during the early years and wasted too much on something, maybe he didn’t treasure people around him that’s why he’s left alone now. Really, I have no idea of what had happen to him and I’m no longer interested to know as well but it bothers me a bit because he looks so old and grimy, no trace of his being in good shape before. I somehow pity the guy this time but I leave everything to God now, may he find his soul back on track. Well, on a side note, I wonder now if he feel a bit of regret after seeing me, bakit naman kase naka-pajama pa ako when he saw me eh, he should had seen me in my boyfriend jeans and my newly ironed-curls later that day, I bet he’d feel more sorry of himself. Ikaw kase eh! Oh well, life is roller coaster and the world is very small so the chance of bumping with people in the past is very probable. He left soon after Nanay handed him a little cash, what a shame? 😦

So what do you know, this forthcoming weekend is very special, Leoncio and I will be marking our 9th wedding anniversary. There is one solid plan to date and I hope it would push without any holdup. And just in case I won’t be able do the anniversary post because I’m busy and drained by then, here’s something for you my dear husband.

Our 9th year came too fast, I was like doodling and dawdling and before I knew it another 365 days of our married life went by. I have many things to thank God this year, foremost, because He gave you a new job at the start of the year and He continued to bless me everyday at work despite the challenges, despite the frustration everytime I’ll receive my paycheck. But despite that little earnings this year, we never felt deprived, we were able to shop to our heart’s content, we were able to dine at our favorite restaurants and we were able to make short distance travels by and by. I thank God that we remained hale and hearty except to some flu and gastric disorders. I thank God that we survived the journey, even childless at this point, we never felt incomplete and miserable.

‘Ney, I know in my heart we have a long way to go, we have too many more battle to win and we have too many roads to travel. And let me take this chance to say sorry for the many times I yelled at you for no big reasons at all, for the many times I ignored you, for the many times I acted egotistic, for the many times I excused myself doing the laundry and the dishes and for the many times you felt I put you down. You just don’t know how much I love you and how I value us, that waking up with YOU everyday is my only bliss. Happy Anniversary ‘Ney and may God continue to shower our marriage with trust, faith, loyalty and constancy. ♥

This year’s Christmas prepping got me seriously –financially and physically because I was always out in the run albeit my drive to shop as early as December 1.

Let me recount the ways,

I’m not a fan of Greenhills Shopping Center despite its proximity to my office building but once in a while I do visit to get something important or have my nail made or have dinner at the favorite Chinese eatery where Spareribs Rice is the best. And every year I made sure to peek at its COD display. Last year’s theme is Christmas in the Orient, a story of a brave woman who volunteered to join the army to defend her country against the raiders. I bought some good overruns at the night market too other than that I have no reasons to keep on coming back because it would just spell g.a.s.t.o.s!

We drove to Paseo de Sta. Rosa to shop at those favorite outlet shops, name it Levi’s, Nike, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Gap, etc. However, we find the stocks a little odd for the Christmas season and there’s hardly any good piece to take home. Even the husband went home a bit frustrated because the stocks at Nike suck!

And like last year there were Christmas displays at those prominent subdivisions, the Candy Land in particular was literally an eye candy to everyone.

We were in Tagaytay already by dinner time and because we’re famished from half day rummaging those outlet shops, getting a decent dinner was our main concern that night. We ended at RSM for reasons I don’t know, probably because the group wanted some steaming beef shank –the famous Bulalo of Tagaytay. Don’t tell anyone that it’s my first time at RSM, hahaha, we didn’t know that the place is big. Tho the food is a bit bland to our palate. Later that night we drove to Uncle Mike’s wake and stayed until the morning.

The fambam went to Monte Maria to attend the healing mass of Fr. Suarez. We’ve been doing this regularly every third Sunday of the month, we joined the multitude in praying and like everyone who have faith we have high hopes that Nanay would soon be healed and recover completely. We had lunch at The Classic Savory in Summit Ridge for the second time with Tatay, the first time was a pleasant one especially that service was fast however, we left the restaurant dissatisfied and unhappy this time. Service was very slow and the food was tasteless aside from its being cold when served. We should have tried Rai Rai Ken for a change.

We were home once again to attend the last night of Uncle Mike’s wake. There were too many people that night and my maternal family was in complete attendance.

It was Uncle Mike’s funeral and it’s one of those gloomy days, I wish we could all turn back time, I wish it wasn’t really happening. We bid goodbye to our dear Uncle at passed 3pm and had a little salo-salo back at their house soon after. *Reminder to self: I still need to do a separate post about the funeral.

Tho I wanted to bring home again all the presents I received this year (from colleagues, dear suppliers and friends) and let my dear Bea do the unwrapping once again I opt to unwrap some so I won’t be bringing home everything including those that wouldn’t be of so much use. On a second note, any form of gift still excite me to bits, I’m always like a kid fascinated with those Christmas boxes. And I love them all! Thank you to everyone! #feelingloved ♥

Nanay finally had her Stress Test after a series of consultation with her new cardiologist, Dr. Dans. We went together with her to give her moral support and to shop later on. 😀 We rummaged S&R in Aseana once again and chanced The Big Holiday Outlet Sale at SMX where I scored some pairs of Havaianas, tho not really the cheapest.

Last minute shopping at S&R Shaw with Sam and Leoncio, it was our first time to visit this newly opened branch and as expected people were flooding the place as early as 9am. We bought home some staples for Noche Buena including my stash of Tillamook cheese. 🙂

I was back at work after Christmas Day, I feel stuffed and requested Leoncio that we drove to our favorite place to go when in dire need of comfort food. A peeping hot soup from Eat Fresh.

One of my colleague celebrated her birthday at the office during the last day of work for 2013, happiest of birthday to you new Mommy, enjoy motherhood. I know it’s a dream come true.

Leoncio don’t normally tag me along especially when it involves errands for dear Winnie, so I was a bit surprised when he invited me to join him at Wheelhaus before the New Year. I thought he already found the replacement mags which Winnie badly needed, I’m agreeable that a new set of tires would be due as well but I was in shock when the supposed P25k budget doubled, kaya pala ako sinama because I would be needing to pay more. As if I can say no when the senior mechanic was telling that we need to replace this and this. Por Dios Por Santo!

And because I enjoyed another 9 days off after the 28th, the kids were very happy because we frequent Tagaytay, we frequent Starbucks, we had pizza and more. They’re the happiest whenever I’m around because Ninang would be treating them over. Hahaha.

I love that long vacay because I had more time for Bei and Boi, I had more time to cuddle Bei during her sleeps. It was just a little dull because the husband had to be away for a couple of days to visit my in-laws back in Ilocos.

And despite of all the hubbub of the season, despite the damages (on my pocket), despite the bitterness (do I have one?), issues and other hateful occurrence during the Christmas month I won’t change anything and would rather do the same thing all over again. I love Christmas that way. 😛